A Lot of Changes in the Past Two Weeks

Over the course of the last two weeks we have seen quite a few changes on the course.  The way the weather looks today it the changes keep on coming.  I thought I would share a few photos of the golf course over the past two weeks.  Last week Nick and I shoveled the snow away from all of our drain inlets to aid the process of melting snow exiting the course.  There was a great deal of ice in many of the low spots on fairways, but from what we have observed, the turf appears, at this time, to be healthy, despite areas that had 4-6 of ice build-up.

Opening drains so the water can exit the course

Ice on 4 fairway-March 15th

In one weeks time the majority of snow has melted but we continue to have snow cover on many fairways, just not at the depth we had a week ago.  That was of course until today with the addition of 3-6 inches of wet snow.

Yesterday I walked the course to take a better look at our fine turf areas.  At this point in the season, I like what I see.  Obviously the tees look outstanding.  The bentgrass is in perfect condition.  The fairway turf also looks very good and even the poa looks pretty darn good. We've had snow cover on the golf course since the 10th of November, that's over 140 days of continual snow cover and we're receiving additional snow today that will last at least another week.  All indications show our snow mold protection to be holding up.  A few areas are questionable, but at this point it appears to be superfical and will not be a factor towards the quality of the turf.  What happens in the next few weeks will be any ones guess.  Hopefully snow melt will occur quickly and the surfaces will begin to dry out.

#12 red tee

Poa on #12 Approach

#12 Fairway

As far are the quality of the turf under the covers?  I have only peeked under the covers on #1 and #2.   From what I've seen, the turf looks very good.  The anticipation of pulling all covers drives me crazy this time of year.  I just want to look at them all and know what the status is of each green.  There's nothing we can do at this point but to wait for warmer weather.  It'll come and when it does we'll be ready.

A view from under the cover #2 green